Storytimes, book clubs, and special events scheduled at the library

By CARRIE POMEROY

The Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave. is providing a wide variety of arts, science, and literary programming for all ages this October and November. Stop by to check out books, CDs, DVDs, and magazines or to surf the Internet in one of our neighborhood’s coziest, most welcoming spots!

Preschool Storytimes in English happen Fridays, 10:30-11am, with upcoming events on Oct. 13, 20, and 27 and Nov. 3 and 10. Storytimes feature stories, songs, puppets, and more. They’re a great way for caregivers to bond with children and build social skills, listening comprehension, letter and number recognition, and more. Children of all activity levels are welcome!

The library also offers Evening Storytimes on Tuesdays from 6-6:30pm. These storytimes feature the same kinds of stories, songs, puppets, and games you’ll find at the daytime storytimes. Upcoming Evening Storytimes will take place Oct. 17 and 24 and Nov. 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Sat., Oct. 14, 1:30-3pm, the library presents the popular Science Saturdays program. This month’s theme is Spooky Shadows. School-aged kids and their families are invited to join in a shadow theater to see what they can create with flashlights and shadows. Sat., Oct. 14 is also Math and Science Day at the library. From 11:30am-5pm, you can join in fun, hands-on math and science activities all around the library!

On Tuesday afternoons in October and November from 4:30-6pm, poet Becca Barniskis, and musician Nick Jaffe will present Word and Sound Lab, a series of open studio workshops for youth grades 5-8 that explores the intersection of poetry, sound, and video. iPads and other tech will be available to use on-site or participants may bring their own devices. This activity is open and free to grades 5-8. No registration necessary; just show up! Come to one session or attend all as you’re able. Word and Sound Labs take place Tues., Oct. 17, 24, and 31, and Nov. 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Jody’s Documentary Film Series happens on Wed., Oct. 25, 1-3pm. This month, Jody will host a showing of “The Grownups” by filmmaker Maite Alberdi. The film tells the story of middle-aged friends with Down Syndrome working as caterers, looking for romance, and hoping for independence in Chile. This program is a collaboration of the award-winning PBS POV, the Hamline Midway Elders, and the library. Come for the film and snacks, stay for a thought-provoking post-film discussion facilitated by Jody.

On Wed., Oct. 25, 7-8pm, the Park Square Theatre presents Behind the Curtain, an evening with actors from the upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Attendees of the library program are invited to purchase up to four half-priced, standard tickets to see a performance of the show at Park Square Theater (Oct. 26-Nov. 11). All tickets must be purchased in advance of the Oct. 25 discussion program at the Hamline Midway Library and can be picked up the evening of the Oct. 25 presentation. Please visit www.thefriends.org/hamlet to register and receive the discount code via email. This presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.

The Novels at Night Book Club meets on Thur., Oct. 26, 6:30-7:30pm to discuss “The Sisters Brothers” by Patrick deWitt. This darkly comic novel takes place during the great California Gold Rush and follows the misadventures of the Sisters brothers, two hired guns tracking down a target who gives them a real run for their money. Join other fiction enthusiasts for a lively discussion every fourth Thursday!

The new Start a Series Book Club will meet on Sat., Oct. 28, 3-4pm to discuss L.A. Meyer’s “Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary ‘Jacky’ Faber, Ship’s Boy.” This book club is recommended for grades 6-8, and each month will focus on a discussion of the first book in a series.

On Sat., Nov. 4, 1-2pm, the Saints and Sinners Book Club meets to discuss good mysteries. Contact volunteer G. Balter for book lists and more information at gerribalter@gmail.com or 651-224-5570.

On Wed., Nov. 9, 6:30-7pm, participants in ARTful Expression: Acting with Teatro del Pueblo, an acting program for adults ages 50+, will give a free performance to demonstrate what they learned during the program. Enjoy a little theater and cheer on the actors!

The library and the Hamline Midway Elders present Chair Yoga on Thursdays from 10:30-11:30am on Nov. 9, 16, and 30. All movement is done while seated or standing using the chair for balance. This class for adults is taught by Nancy Giguere.

All St. Paul Libraries will be closed on Nov. 10 and 11 in observance of Veterans Day.